Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo says Israel's Monday massacre of innocent Palestinians is a "day of shame" for the Muslim world.
Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza fence on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day (the Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city of Jerusalem al-Quds.
"As these crimes and murders were being carried out, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his guests were busy celebrating the illegal relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds," Khoshroo said while addressing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in New York on Wednesday.
He added that the OIC must use its influence to pressure the Israeli regime into ending such atrocities against Palestinians.
While condemning Israel's crimes, Khoshroo blasted Washington for its unconditional support for the Tel Aviv regime, stressing that the US must be held accountable for its actions, especially relocating its embassy to the holy city.
More than 2,700 Palestinians were also wounded as the Israeli forces used snipers, airstrikes, tank fire and tear gas to target the demonstrators.
The occupied territories have witnessed new tensions ever since US President Donald Trump on December 6, 2017, announced Washington's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” and said the United States would move the US embassy to the city.
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The dramatic decision triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.
The status of Jerusalem al-Quds is the thorniest issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.